CIA fires employee for alleged leak to media

This is good and bad news. It is good since investigations are leading somewhere. But it is bad news that someone in this position would reveal secret information; another way it could be considered bad news is when someone on the Left screams that this person is a "whistleblower" and should be protected - ACLU anyone?

Also, as been said by many, shouldn't a paper be more concerned with an individual that releases information that is supposedly secret? I realize it is not the media's responsibility, but it does reveal their bottom line.

According to the article this person provided info to the Washington Post regarding U.S. prisons in Europe. However, both of those officials spoke on condition of anonymity for this story because of the sensitivity of the matter. Will leaks never cease?

There is also further information at Random Thoughts of Yet Another Military Member

From the Arizona Republic/AP

WASHINGTON - The CIA has fired an employee for leaking classified information to the news media, an agency official said Friday. A federal criminal investigation has also been opened.

CIA spokesman Paul Gimigliano said an officer had been fired for having unauthorized contacts with the media and disclosing classified information to reporters, including details about intelligence operations.

"The officer has acknowledged unauthorized discussions with the media and the unauthorized sharing of classified information," Gimigliano said. "That is a violation of the secrecy agreement that everyone signs as a condition of employment with the CIA."

Citing the Privacy Act, the CIA would not provide any details about the officer's identity or assignments. It was not immediately clear if the person would face prosecution.

Justice Department officials declined to comment on the firing and whether the matter had been referred to federal prosecutors for possible criminal charges. One law enforcement official said there were dozens of leak investigations under way.

A second law enforcement official confirmed there was a criminal investigation under way and said the CIA officer had provided information that contributed to a Washington Post story last year saying there were secret U.S. prisons in Eastern Europe.

Both of those officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

The Washington Post report caused an international uproar, and government officials have said it did significant damage to relationships between the U.S. and allied intelligence agencies.

CIA Director Porter Goss has pressed for aggressive investigations. In his latest appearance before Congress, Goss condemned the unauthorized disclosure of information.

"The damage has been very severe to our capabilities to carry out our mission," Goss said in February, adding that a federal grand jury should be impaneled to determine "who is leaking this information."

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